On Saturday, 25th February, 2023, Nigerians will troop out in their numbers to elect who takes over the helm of affairs of the country for four years.
There have been worries on how the presidential candidates intend to reshape the sporting sector. In fact, it has been a great concern for sport living Nigerians who feel the presidential aspirants have not dwelt on sport as they have on economy, security, education, health etc.
Meanwhile, Nigeriasoccernet.com have been able to gather quotes of the three major presidential candidates through their manifestoes courtesy of Pulse ng.
And it is left for Nigerians to check them out and make the choice of a lifetime. This election is regarded as one of the most anticipated election as many say it will begin the journey to a new Nigeria.
In years past, it used to be a two-horse race, but this time there is a third force that has become popular in less than eight months. He is the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi who goes head and showder with the ruling party (APC) candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and major opposition party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The Manifesto read, “Provide the opportunities for youths to realize, harness, and develop their full potentials and to facilitate the emergence of a new generation of citizens committed to the sustenance of good governance and service to the people and the country.
“We will unleash the potential and talent of our youth in different sports through a dynamic training and funding approach that will upgrade the standard of our sports development. The return of school sports and grassroots sports will be made the cornerstone of our sports development policy.
“Towards achieving a coordinated sports development program, we will create an enabling environment for sports to thrive as a business. The New National Sports Industry Policy, (NISP) will be fully implemented. Incentives will be provided to attract private-sector investments and participation in sports infrastructural development.
“Sports development in all its facets will be made a priority item under a Tinubu government with an increase in funding. A Sports Code of Governance will also be developed to ensure compliance with set goals and objectives. Modern sporting infrastructure will be developed in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country to elevate our sporting standards.”
“Establish world-class sports academies and training institutes and ensure that Nigeria occupies a place of pride in global sports and athletics. Schools and communities will also be mandated to create playgrounds/sports centers with needed equipment to develop skills.”
Atiku Abubakar
He said, “In Nigeria, the sports sector is faced with a series of challenges, including inadequate harnessing of opportunities present in sports, inadequate attention to minority sports, under-funding, and politicisation of sports and poor management.
“The revamp will be addressed by the improvement of sporting facilities in all the states of the country; diversify into the promotion of minority sports to give Nigeria a better chance of winning international laurels, encourage the sport sector as a job and wealth creation platform; promote sport as a mechanism for national unity and foreign policy, and partner with the private sector to open sports academies for persons with disabilities that will operate across the regions.”
Peter Obi
Peter Obi said, “Marshall plan-type programme on education that incorporates compulsory technical and vocational skills, sports, entrepreneurship, programming, and digital skills from the primary to the secondary level.
“We will facilitate both public and private sector investments to reactivate and reposition our sports sector to become globally competitive. The sports ministry shall be strengthened to attract investments through blended financial mechanisms towards developing sporting talents, revamping sporting facilities and recreation centres across the nation.
“We will work with state governments to introduce state leagues in key sports, such as football and basketball, to enhance the growth and professionalisation of grassroots sports. This would create thousands of jobs for the youth.”
Election hold on Saturday, 25th February 2023 across the nation.
Uche Dozie